*
banner

Eikanger welcomes new players for new season

The National and Siddis Champion has added five new faces to the ranks ahead of the forthcoming season.

Eikanger
  The band has welcomed the new signings

Norwegian National and Siddis Champion, Eikanger Bjorsvik has welcomed a new intake of signings as they look towards a busy period of community, concert and contest activity.

Before the new contesting season starts the band will undertake its annual Feriespel Summer Course in Knarvik, where 100 youngsters will work with the players of the band — including their five new signings of Preben Johansen (soprano), Marita Strandborg (cornet), Sophie Brokstad (horn), and percussionists Heine Buanes and Thorvald Svasand Lihaug.

The first concert will see Eikanger work and perform alongside the Hordaland Ungdomsbrassband (Hordaland Youth Brass Band) on 25th August in the beautiful Knarvik Church.

Exciting experienced and new talent

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We welcome these new players who represent exciting new talent to the band of different ages and experience."

Soprano and cornet

The experienced Preben Johansen will take over the soprano cornet role recently vacated by Jon-Vegar Sundal.

Speaking about his move from Manger Musikklag to Eikanger he said: "I would like to thank Manger for 15 brilliant years of musical enjoyment, but the time was right to look forward to new challenges with Eikanger.

Succeeding Jon-Vegar will be challenging of course, but with dedicated colleagues to support me I'm sure we can all do something special."

The equally experienced Marita Strandborg also comes from elite level counterparts, with tenures as principal cornet for Krohnengen and in recent years on flugel with Radøy Brass and latterly as principal cornet at Oster Brass.

We welcome these new players who represent exciting new talent to the band of different ages and experienceEikanger Bjorsvik

Horn and percussion

21-year-old horn player Sophie Brokstad joins from Kleppe Musikklg having previously playing with Fjell Brass and Flesland Musikklag. She started learning to play in Bergen based Minde School band and is a former member of Eikanger-Bjørsvik's youth programme 'EBML Talent' and student at Manger Folkehøgskule.

Percussionist Heine Buanes (19) joins from Tertnes Brass where he has played for two years. He was a young player in the Tertnes School Band and is currently training to become an industrial mechanic. He is already helping younger players as a percussion instructor.

He is joined by 21-year-old Thorvald Svåsand Lihaug who swapped to playing percussion and was a pupil at the music programme at Bergen Private Gymnas.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


British Open

Fewer than 30 stall seats left for British Open

September 4 • You will need to be quick to get a downstairs seat in the stalls for the British Open — but you can still bag a bargain discount for the Grand Tier to enjoy 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


4BR podcast

4BR British Open preview

September 2 • Join us on air on Wednesday evening to give us your views and opinions ahead of the 171st British Open Championships at Symphony Hall.


British Open

New additions to prize list at British Open

September 2 • The new champion will bag a record cash prize whilst a new cornet award adds to the individual accolades on offer at Symphony Hall this weekend.


Alexander Richter

Richter award for pioneering brass band advocacy

September 2 • Alexander Richter has been presented with the prestigious Eitelfriedrich-Thom Award.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Rushden Town Band

September 2 • 2nd Trombone position has become vacant as current holder off to University. Rehearsals Mondays and Wednesday at Rushden Hall. RTB is a friendly 1st Section band who have recently come back from their second tour abroad and also released their first CD.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 2 • Are you moving to the West Midlands this autumn or possibly fancy a change of bandroom scenery? The band are looking to recruit an Eb bass and a Kit Percussionist to help us with our varied and ever expanding range of events.


Cross Keys Silver Band

September 2 • We're looking for a 2nd Trombone player to join a strong section in a 2nd Section band based in South Wales. We have a number of community engagements and contests lined up for the rest of the year and into 2026. Rehearsals are from 19:30 on Tuesdays.


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd